[Archived] European Championship France 2016

[Gav]

As its now the final round of group games both matches are played at same time-so romania albania is at 8pm tonight also. Its on tv too on either bbc4 or itv2 depending who has the games tonight.

Thats why I missed it, cheers jbn

[Audax]

Mexico who by the way, defeated the highly regarded Uruguay team in the Copa America, lost to Chile 7-0.

http://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2016/06/19/south-america/copa-america/mexico/chile/2178780/?ICID=PL_MS_04

[perthblue02]

Mexico who by the way, defeated the highly regarded Uruguay team in the Copa America, lost to Chile 7-0.

http://uk.soccerway.com/matches/2016/06/19/south-america/copa-america/mexico/chile/2178780/?ICID=PL_MS_04

Watched extended highlights of that , a very strange second half total collapse (0-2 at half time) . Would have liked to have seen the in play betting markets at the start of the second half Chile only managed 7 goals in their 3 group games whilst Mexico only conceded 2.

Should be two decent semi final games, US v Argentina and Chile v Columbia

[philipl]

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/06/16/upshot/euro-2016-how-teams-can-advance-to-the-next-round.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur

The best analysis of progress opportunities ahead of the final round of group matches. Only Ukraine are definitely going home because they can only finish last in their Group even if they win their remaining game.

[roverandout]

England win the group then semi finals is a very realistic possibility

[Audax]

I really wonder if France is that concerned with this match and the two countries have had a number of draws. A draw would mean France finishes 1st and Switzerland 2nd, even if Romania wins, they'd then have 4 points, France 7 and the Swiss 5 points. Then, Romania would probably advance but I think the Albania Romania match will be the more exciting one.

[Audax]

What a miss by Albania, people see that? Sheesh.

[LewisF]

Come on Albania

[Audax]

Payet just hit the cross bar, that was well set up and France is unfortunate not to have scored.,

[Gav]

Come on Albania

Playing well, hope they can hang on to the 1-0

Must say I'm enjoying Mark Lawrenson commentary also, he doesn't pretend to be an expert, says it as it is, does sometimes say stupid things but he's better than the 'experts' on Sky.

[Audax]

Playing well, hope they can hang on to the 1-0

Because France scored a 2nd late against Albania, Albania could use a 2nd goal, I thought they almost had it there.

[Audax]

Congrats to Albania.

You look at the standings, I think there chances are iffy to advance as a 3rd place team but a great win nonetheless and they definitely should have had another goal earlier.

There chances are 50% of a chance of advancing per the announcer.

[Gav]

Fantastic result, deserved that win.

[Audax]

So, Hodgson is making changes galore for this match vs. Slovakia.

And as someone said here, Slovakia is not to be taken lightly.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/19/roy-hodgson-knockout-stages-six-changes

And the last time, they were in St. Etienne and all that.

[MCMC1875]

.

[joey_big_nose]

So, Hodgson is making changes galore for this match vs. Slovakia.

And as someone said here, Slovakia is not to be taken lightly.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/19/roy-hodgson-knockout-stages-six-changes

And the last time, they were in St. Etienne and all that.

I would find that kind of massive squad rotation extremely weird. We have played very well, with good balance and control. Why would you change that? I get dropping Sterling and Kane for Vardy and Sturridge, totally justified. But why would you change the full backs when Walker and Rose have been excellent? And to leave out heartbeat of the side - Rooney and Alli - seems utterly crazy. Dropping one for Wilshire makes some sense but bring Henderson back in and we might as well forget the posession football which has defined us.

I think Roys made a good job of it so far. Dont go mental!

[philipl]

So, Hodgson is making changes galore for this match vs. Slovakia.

And as someone said here, Slovakia is not to be taken lightly.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jun/19/roy-hodgson-knockout-stages-six-changes

And the last time, they were in St. Etienne and all that.

I am terrified by this.

England finally found a powerful rhythm in the second half against Wales and no matter what happens, Woy cannot get that same XI on the pitch again tonight. What the hell is wrong with cementing a winning formula which has played very well together for just the 40 minutes????

Yes (a very different) England won 3-2 in Germany but the same Slovakia as tonight won 3-1 in Germany.

This is an unnecessary risk to not coming top and inviting a horrible run of fixtures instead of a doable route to the semis. Gareth Bale will be salivating at the prospect of running at that static Russian defence in the other game which means England have got to get a win. Woy will be toast if he doesn't win tonight after this selection.

[oldjamfan1]

Steady on fellas he hasn't announced the team yet - its all just speculation until then.

[sambo]

Agree that Roy shouldn't make wholesale changes - momentum is so key in these tournaments!

I'll be cheering on Wales in the fanzone in Cardiff tonight. Their fans have been a credit to the tournament, and an England Wales top 2 would be great.

[Gav]

The support for the vast majority of teams has been nothing short of fantastic in my opinion, full grounds, massive numbers from all corners of Europe.

The Albanians last night, superb, Hungarians and Icelandic fans the other other night similar.

40,000 England fans in Saint-Etienne for this one, not a hint of trouble and they should see us through to the next round comformatbly, just a pity the stadiums not bigger as thousands won't get to see it live, but I'm sure they'll enjoy the experience.

[Audax]

It's perhaps just psychological jousting, leading others to think there might be a number of changes in the lineup but the stories are certainly out there.

[philipl]

10% of the Icelandic population is in France!

[gumboots]

10% of the Icelandic population is in France!

Isn't it something like 0.004% of the population is in the squad or perhaps an even higher % than that?

[Guest]

The Albanians last night, superb, Hungarians and Icelandic fans the other other night similar.

\o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/ \o/

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

/o\ /o\ /o\ /o\ /o\ /o\ /o\ /o\ /o\ /o\ /o\ /o\ /o\ /o\

[sambo]

10% of the Icelandic population is in France!

A burglar's dream!

In all seriousness though, their fans have been brilliant. A wall of noise v Portugal.